Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and well cared for by this experienced childminder. They are very settled and show that they feel safe and secure in their environment. This is evident from their continuous smiles and eagerness to join in with the activities on offer that reflect their interests. The childminder offers parents home visits to help build early bonds with children. As children wake from their sleep, they receive warm nurturing cuddles until they are ready to resume their play. The childminder's ambitious curriculum helps to broaden children's experiences. They learn about the life cycle of a caterpillar. The childminder embraces children's curiosity in colourful butterflies. Children develop the small muscles in their hands in readiness for writing as they use pipettes to suck up different coloured water and squirt it onto cotton wool pads. They learn how to create new colours by mixing different colours

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The provision is good

together. This motivates children to observe and express a great interest in the butterflies they see in the childminder's garden.

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The provision is good

Children express a strong love of books and display high levels of listening and attention. They have a positive attitude to learning. Children enthusiastically position magnetic numbers in the correct order on the board. They make comparisons between the number six and nine and know the meaning of zero. The childminder models positive behaviour and good manners. She is clear and consistent in her approach. This motivates children to use good manners and show respect for their environment. They eagerly help the childminder and assistants to tidy away what they have finished playing with.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans learning opportunities that embrace children's interests and extends on their experiences. Children are keen to share what they have learnt with authorised visitors. The childminder observes children's development and works in partnerships with parents to find out what children know and can do. The childminder uses this information to ensure that activities support children's next steps in learning. As a result, children are engaged in their play and make good progress. n The childminder provides children with opportunities to learn about different cultural celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. Children listen to traditional music and come together to replicate dragon dancing. The childminder provides children with diverse and nutritionally balanced meals that enable them to experience distinctive flavours from different countries. This provides children with a good understanding of similarities and differences.

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need to do better?

n The childminder actively encourages good behaviour and mutual respect among children. For instance, she encourages children to take turns as they participate in active team games that also builds on their physical abilities. Children develop

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need to do better?

29 July 2024 good control as they carefully balance a rubber ring on their head and walk around a simple obstacle course. The childminder and assistants praise motivate children to keep on trying when the ring occasionally falls. Children clap each other for their achievements and are awarded a medal. This helps to boost their high levels of self-esteem. n Overall, the childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. She engages children in conversations as they play, models language well and repeats words back to children to correctly support their clear pronunciation. However, children who speak more than one language at home are not fully supported to build on their language development. n The childminder provides parents with a wealth of ideas that continue to support children's learning. This also includes guidance to promote a healthy lifestyle, such as good oral health and healthy meals. Parents appreciate the updates of

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need to do better?

their children's achievements throughout the day via a secure app. They speak highly of the childminder describing her as a 'trustworthy' and 'caring professional'. n The childminder encourages children to do some things for themselves. Children follow the childminder's clear reminders to remove their shoes and position them together when entering her home. However, there are occasions when the childminder misses opportunities for children to build on their independent skills. For example, she does not always challenge children to manage their own care needs, such as cleaning their hands after lunch and carrying out simple tasks when they have finished eating. n The childminder and assistants work very well together as a team. The childminder is dedicated to supporting her assistants and her own professional development. She regularly observes assistants practice and provides immediate support to help them to continue to develop their skills. The childminder shares

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need to do better?

new knowledge gained from webinars and training with assistants. This provides a consistent approach to enhancing the quality of practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance opportunities for children who speak more than one language at home to build on their language skills n offer children more opportunities that challenge them to do as much as possible for themselves to be highly independent individuals.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY231687 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10351707 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 14 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Bushey. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder employs two assistants. The childminder and one of the assistants hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder, assistants and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector, and they discussed their findings. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

29 July 2024 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

29 July 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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